Anhydrous products having improved wettability characteristics

ABSTRACT

Water-wettable anhydrous products, such as the powders and creams used in cosmetic and drug products, are admixed with 20 percent to 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of a powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene polymer, to improve wettability characteristics. Denture adhesive powders prepared from an anionic/cationic adhesive combination, together with the powdered polyethylene or polypropylene polymer display particularly improved properties. The polyethylene or polypropylene polymer may also be admixed with other anhydrous products including dentifrices, vaginal powder sprays, and the like. Low molecular weight polyethylene powder, with an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 3,500, is suitable for use in products of the invention. For the polypropylene, a molecular weight of from 120,000 to 350,000 is specified. The powdered polymers have a particle size of less than 422 microns.

United States Patent [191 Keegan et al.

[4 1 Apr. 15, 1975 ANHYDROUS PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED WETTABILITYCHARACTERISTICS [73] Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company, Morris Plains,NJ.

[22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 302,162

[52] U.S. C1. 260/17 R; 106/35; 260/897 B; 260/DIG. 36 [51] Int. Cl.C08b 21/32; C08f 37/16 [58] Field of Search..... 106/35; 260/17 R, 94.9CD, 260/D1G. 36, 17.4 UC, 897 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,997,399 8/1961 Eberhard et al. 106/35 3,003,988 10/1961Germann et al. 260/33.6 UA 3,215,599 11/1965 Thau et a1 167/63 3,427,1912/1969 Howell et al.... 117/138.8 E

3,440,065 4/1969 La Via 106/35 3,472,840 10/l969 Stone et al. 260/2313,509,113 4/1970 Monagle et a1. 260/79.3 3,511,791 5/1970 Puetzer etal....... 260/17.4 3,736,274 5/1973 Schoenholz et al 260/17 R OTHERPUBLICATIONS Chemical Abstracts, 70:79, 407q., (1969), Bailey, et.

Chemical Abstracts, 67:12, 857f., (1967), Kanner, et. al.

Primary ExaminerMe1vin Goldstein Assistant ExaminerW. C. DanisonAttorney; Agent, or Firm-Albert H. Graddis; Frank S. Chow; Anne M. Kelly[57] ABSTRACT Water-wettable anhydrous products, such as the powders andcreams used in cosmetic and drug products, are admixed with 20 percentto 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation,of a powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene polymer, to improvewettability characteristics. Denture adhesive powders prepared from ananionic/cationic adhesive combination, together with the powderedpolyethylene or polypropylene polymer display particularly improvedproperties. The polyethylene or polypropylene polymer may also beadmixed with other anhydrous products including dentifrices, vaginalpowder sprays, and the like. Low molecular weight polyethylene powder,with an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 3,500, is suitable foruse in products of the invention. For the polypropylene, a molecularweight of from 120,000 to 350,000 is specified. The powdered polymershave a particle size of less than 422 microns.

10 Claims, No Drawings ANIIYDROUS PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED WETTABILITYCHARACTERISTICS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many cosmetic and drugproducts are formulated as anhydrous powders and creams to protect theparticular ingredients in the formulation as well as for convenience inmanufacturing, packaging, storage and handling. However, since most ofthese products depend upon water for actual utility, any difficultiesencountered in wetting the preparation at the time of use greatlydetract from the overall consumer acceptance of the product.

Such is the case with many anhydrous dental preparations includingdenture adhesives, dentifrices, and the like. Similar problems arefrequently encountered with products such as anhydrous vaginal powderspray formulations.

It has now been found that the addition of a powdered polyethylene orpolypropylene polymer to such anhydrous powder and cream preparationsgreatly enhances the wettability characteristics of the preparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Anhydrous powder and cream formulationscontaining from 20 to 60 percent by weight, based on the total weight ofthe preparation, of a powder polyethylene or a powdered polypropylenepolymer having a particle size of less than 422 microns, have superiorwettability characteristics. Suitable polyethylene powders are of lowmolecular weights, i.e., from about 1,000 to 3,500; polypropylenepowders having higher molecular weights, i.e., from 120,000 to 350,000are used. A particularly preferred product is a denture adhesive powdercontaining about percent by weight of a cationic copolymer of acrylamidewith B-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; about 40percent by weight of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and about 50percent by weight ofa powdered polyethylene polymer having an averagemolecular weight of about 2,000 or about 50 percent by weight of apowdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of about140,000.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to anhydrous powderand cream preparations which contain a powdered polyethylene or apowdered polypropylene polymer to provide improved wettabilitycharacteristics.

The powdered polyethylene polymers suitable for use in the practice ofthis invention have an average molecular weight ranging from about 1,000to 3,000, preferably from about 2,000 to 2,500, and a particle size ofless than about 422 microns, preferably between about 74 to 149 microns.The particle size may also be stated in terms of the mesh size, i.e.,not larger than 40 mesh, preferably between about 100 to 200 mesh.Powdered polyethylene polymers having an average molecular weight ofabout 2,000 and a particle size of about 74 microns (200 mesh) areespecially preferred.

As representative of polyethylene polymers falling into theabove-described category, there may be mentioned the waxy reactionproducts of ethylene with isopropanol, produced according to theprocesses described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,504,400, 2,712,534, and

2,683,141, wherein there is obtained a telomer product having theformula below, with n being 3 to Low molecular weight polymers obtainedin this manner are subjected to a pulverizing after-treatment, using acryogenic-pulverizing process, if necessary, to obtain a powderedpolyethylene product of the desired particle size.

As examples of commercially available powdered polyethylene productssuitable for use in this invention, there may be mentioned those sold byAllied Chemical Company, Morristown, New Jersey, under the name A-CPolyethylene 6A, A-C Polyethylene 8A, A-C Polyethylene 9A, A-CPolyethylene 6AF, A-C Polyethylene 8AF, and A-C Polyethylene 9AF.Similarly, powdered polyethylene products sold by United StatesIndustries, Park Avenue, New York 10017, as their Microthene series arealso suitable.

Powdered polypropylene polymers suitable for use in the practice of thisinvention have an average molecular weight ranging from about 120,000 to350,000, preferably about 120,000 to 160,000, and a particle size ofless than about 422 microns, preferably between about 74 to 149 microns.Powdered polypropylene polymers having an average molecular weight ofabout 140,000 and a particle size of about 74 microns are especiallypreferred. As representative of polypropylene polymers falling into theabove-described category, there may be mentioned polypropylenehomopolymers prepared by the various polymerization techniques describedin Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 14: pages 292-296, 1967,John Wiley & Sons, Inc., i.e., using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst andcontrolling the molecular weight in order to achieve the desiredmolecular weight. The polypropylene polymer obtained is pulverized toobtain a powdered material having a particle size suitable for use inthe practice of this invention.

As an example of commercially available powdered polypropylenehomopolymers which improve the water-wettability of powders and creamsaccording to the teachings of this invention, there may be mentionedthose sold by Hercules, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, as the Hercoflatseries.

The above-described polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, whenincorporated into various anhydrous powder and cream formulations, hasbeen found to impart vastly superior wettability characteristics tofinal products when they are wet with water. The exact reason for thisimprovementis not thoroughly understood, but is thought to possiblyinvolve the coating of the individual polyethylene particles with one ormore hydrophilic ingredients in the anhydrous powder or cream, thusaffording improved accessibility of hydrophilic surfaces to the wettingfluid.

Representative anhydrous powder and cream formulations which aresubstantially improved by the addition of the above-describedpolyethylene or polypropylene powders include denture adhesives,dentifrices, vaginal powder sprays, and similar cosmetic and drugproducts. Superior wettability characteristics are obtained in theseanhydrous cosmetic and drug products by the addition of about 20 60percent by weight, preferably about 20 55 percent by weight, based onthe weight of the total formulation, of the polyethylene orpolypropylene powders, according to the teaching of this invention.

As an example of a product which is particularly improved by theincorporation of the aforementioned polyethylene or polypropylenepowders, there may be mentioned a denture adhesive powder formulated tocontain, as the adhesive, a mixture of a cationic polymeric componentand an anionic natural or synthetic component which, when applied todentures and exposed to moisture, develops adhesive properties. Such adenture adhesive product is described in a co-pending application U.S.Ser. No. 243,816, filed in the United States Patent Office on Apr. 13,1972. In this denture adhesive the term cationic polymeric component ismeant to include one or more of the following polymeric components.

1. copolymers of an acrylamide having the formula:

wherein R is methyl or hydrogen; and R R and R are each hydrogen oralkyl, with vinyl quaternary ammonium salts including trialkylaminoalkyacrylate salts, trialkylaminoalky] methacrylate salts, andvinyloxyalkyltrialkylammonium salts; wherein the alkyl groups are l to 7carbon lower alkyl, preferably 1 to 3 carbon lower alkyl;

2. copolymers of an acrylamide having the formula (1) above with vinyland alkyl-substituted vinyl pyridinium salts including 2-vinylpyridinium salts, 4- vinyl pyridinium salts, 2-alkyl-5-vinyl pyridiniumsalts, and 2-vinyl-5-alkyl pyridinium salts, wherein the alkyl groupsare l to 7 carbon lower alkyl, preferably l to 3 carbon lower alkyl; and

3. an O-lower alkyl-trimethylammoniumchloridesubstituted-anhydroglucosepolymer wherein there are l to 7, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms in thealkyl group.

As the quaternary-forming salts in 1 and (2) above there may bementioned such non-toxic, quaternary forming salts as alkliodide,alkylchloride, alkylbromide, and alkyl sulfate salts wherein the alkylgroup is a lower alkyl group containing 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably1 to 3 carbon atoms. Methyl sulfate salts are particularly preferred.Copolymers of substituted and unsubstituted acrylamide in (l) and (2)above are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,336,269, 3,336,270, and3,509,113. They are prepared, as described in these last mentionedpatents, by a solution polymerization process, wherein an acrylamidemonomer having the formula I above and, optionally, an ethylenicallyunsaturated comonomer, are dissolved in a special solvent (either anacetone-water mixture or an acetonetertiary-butanolwater mixture) andpolymerized to yield a polymeric product in the form of relativelyunswollen, hard, nontacky granules which can be readily isolated fromthe polymerization reaction by simple filtration, since the polymericproducts are not soluble in the polymerization solvent. Thepolymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of air and theuse of a polymerization initiator is recommended. The polymerizationtemperature is dependent upon the particular initiator used in thesystem. The concentrations of solvent and the monomer in thepolymerization mixture is critical: for the monomers, 5 50 percent(preferably 20 35 percent) by weight, based on the weight of thepolymerization reaction mixture is recommended; for the acetone-watermixture solvent, 30 70 percent (preferably 35 50 percent) is used; andfor the acetonetertiary butanol-water mixture solvent, 5 percent(preferably 30 50 percent) is recommended, with the amount of tertiarybutanol in this last solvent being 5 65 percent (preferably 30 50percent) by weight, based on the weight of the solvent mixture.

As is usual for polymerization reactions, the molecular weight of thepolymers obtained varies directly with the monomer concentration used inthe initial reaction mixture. Monomer concentration should be from 15 50percent, preferably 20 35 percent by weight of the total polymerizationreaction mixture if high molecular weight polymers are desired. Monomerconcentrations above 50 percent yield polymeric products havingundesirably large, sticky gel particles. For low molecular weightpolymers, monomer concentrations below 10 percent must be used. However,concentrations below 4 5 percent are impractical, since a suspensioninstead of the desired precipitate of the polymer is obtained.

By selecting suitable concentrations of ingredients and polymerizationconditions as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,336,269, 3,336,270, and3,509,113, it has been found to be possible to obtain cationic polymersand copolymers in the form of finely divided powders having molecularweights of from 5 million to 10 million, which are suitable for use as acationic ingredient in the denture adhesive of this invention. Thesepolymers and copolymers are soluble in warm or cold water and produceclear solutions having viscosities of from 700 to 1,800 centipoises, asmeasured in a 1 percent aqueous solution of the polymer, at 25C with astandard Brookfield LVF viscometer.

The third cationic polymeric ingredient described in (3) above as anO-lower alkyl-tri-methylammonium chloride-substitutedanhydroglucosepolymer, wherein the alkyl group is a l to 7 carbon lower alkyl,preferably 1 to 3 carbon lower alkyl, is more fully described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,472,840, patented Oct. 14, 1969. Polymers of this type arecharacteristically cationic; and a particularly preferred cationicpolymer is this class is water soluble and, at a concentration of 1percent and a temperature of 25C, yields a solution having a viscosityof 400 centipoises.

Among the above-described types of cationic polymeric materials, thefollowing have been found to be particularly suitable for use in thedenture adhesive of this invention:

1. copolymers of acrylamide with vinyl quaternary ammonium saltsincluding trialkylaminoalky] acrylate salts, trialkylaminoalkylmethacrylate salts, and vinyloxyalkyltrialkylammonium salts, wherein thealkyl groups are 1 to 7 carbon lower alkyl, preferably 1 to 3 carbonlower alkyl; and

2. copolymers of acrylamide with vinyl and alkylsubstituted vinylpyridinium salts including 2-vinyl pyridinium salts, 4-vinyl pyridiniumsalts, 2-alkyl-5- vinyl pyridinium salts, and 2-vinyl-5-alkyl pyridiniumsalts, wherein the alkyl groups are l to 7 carbon lower alkyl,preferably 1 to 3 carbon lower alkyl.

As typical trialkyl aminoalkyl acrylate salt monomers there may bementioned acryloyloxymethyltrimethyl ammonium methylsulfate;Bacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methylsulfate;vacryloyloxypropyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; andacryloyloxymethyltriethyl ammoniun ethylsulfate.

As typical trialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate salt monomers there may bementioned methacryloyloxymethyltrimethyl ammonium' methyl sulfate;B-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;B-methacryloyloxyethyltriethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate; andv-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate. I

As typical vinyloxyalkyltrialkylammonium salt monomers there may bementioned vinyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;vinyloxypropyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; andvinyloxymethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.

As typical vinyl pyridinium salts there may be mentioned1-methyl-2-vinyl pyridinium methyl sulfate; 1- ethyl-4-vinyl pyridiniumethyl sulfate; 1,2-dimethyl-5- vinyl pyridinium methyl sulfate;l-methyl-2-vinyl-5- ethyl pyridinium methyl sulfate; and1-methyl-2-vinyl- 5-propyl-pyridinium methyl sulfate.

The amount of each monomeric component in the above-mentioned cationiccopolymers utilized in the denture adhesive of the invention may bevaried within certain ranges to provide a product suitable for use inthe denture adhesive of this invention. Generally, from 50 to 90 percentby weight of the acrylamide type monomer, preferably 63 to 85 percent,most preferably 85 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thecopolymer, is used. Correspondingly, from to 50 percent by weight of thevinyl quaternary ammonium salt (or the vinyl pyridinium salt) comonomer,preferably to 37 percent, most preferably 15 percent by weight, based onthe total weight of the copolymer, is used.

The preferred cationic component for the denture adhesive of thisinvention is a copolymer of acrylamide with one of the above-mentionedvinyl quaternary ammonium salts.

In a most preferred embodiment of this invention, the cationic componentcomprises 85 percent by weight of acrylamide and 15 percent by weight ofa trialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate salt having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in thealkyl group, i.e., ,B-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, based on the total weight of the copolymer.

As the anionic ingredient of the denture adhesive of this invention,there may be used one or more gums of the natural variety selected fromthe group gum karaya, gum arabic, gum Shiraz, gum tragacanth, pectin,pectinates, algin, alginates, and the like, which are anionic incharacter; or one or more synthetic gums, that is, one or more of thecarboxymethylcellulose gums, the cellulose sulfate gums or a syntheticgum which is a copolymer of maleic anhydride with vinyl-loweralkylethers having from 1 to 5 in the lower alkyl group.

Maleic anhydride/vinyl-alkyl-ether copolymers are described in US. Pat.No. 2,047,398, patented July 14, 1936 and in US. Pat. No. 2,782,182,patented on Feb. 19, 1957. The alkyl group in the vinyl ether maycontain from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Suitable lower alkyl vinyl ethermonomers include methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, divinyl ether,propyl vinyl ether, isobutyl ether and the like. Polymerizationtechniques used to obtain these copolymers are those well known in theart, i.e., utilizing appropriate proportions of monomers and reactionconditions. The mole ratio of the total of ether monomers to the totalof maleic anhydride is substantial unity: polymerization of one mole ofalkyl vinyl ether with one mole of maleic anhydride. It is desirablethat the copolymer be in the free acid form: monovalent, alkali metalsalts thereof may also be used. Copolymers of this type have been foundto be gum-like and have anionic characteristics and may therefore beused as the anionic component in the denture adhesive of this invention.

Among the suitable anionic materials described above, one or more of thefollowing gums have been found to be especially effective in the dentureadhesive of this invention: gum karaya, gum arabic, gum Shiraz, andcarboxymethylcellulose gum. The carboxymethylcellulose gums areparticularly preferred, especially the sodium carboxymethylcellulosegums.

The sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums are water soluble, anionic, longchain polymers, derived from cellulose. Properties vary with the averagenumber of carboxy methyl groups that are substituted per anhydroglucoseunit in each cellulose molecule. This property is generally referred toas the degree of substitution, with the maximum substitution possibledesignated as 3.0 since there are just three hydroxy groups capable ofreaction in each anhydroglucose unit. For the practice of thisinvention, it has been found that one or more cellulose gums having adegree of substitution of from 0.4 to 1.2 is suitable. The viscosity of1 percent solution of the gum, measured at 25C, should be in the rangeof from about 100 to 20,000 centipoises.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums of this type are more fully describedin Chemical and Physical Properties: Cellulose Gum, 1968, published byHercules, Incorporated, Cellulose and Protein Products Department, 910Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.

The particle size of the cellulose gum is also important and should bepredominantly of a fine grain, that is, of a size such that at leastpercent of the particles pass through a 200 mesh screen, while only 0.5percent of the particles are retained on a 60 mesh screen. A lesseramount of the cellulose gum may be of regular grade, having particles ofa size such that no more than 5 percent are retained on a 40 meshscreen, while only 1 percent are retained on a 30 mesh screen. Aparticularly advantageous gum component for use in the denture adhesiveof this invention has been found to be sodium carboxymethylcellulosegums, of different particle size, but within the above-stated range.This combination of gums may also be of a different degree ofsubstitution, but, again, within the above stated range.

An improved denture adhesive powder containing the above describedingredients, together with polyethylene or polypropylene powderaccording to the teachings of this invention is formulated to containfrom about 40 to 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the totalformulation, of the powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene;from about 5 to 55 percent by weight, of at least one of theabove-described cationic polymeric materials; and from about 5 to 55percent by weight, of at least one of the abovedescribed anionic gums.Preferred. products contain from about 45 55 percent by weight, based onthe weight of the total formulation of the polyethylene or polypropylenepowder; about 20 percent by weight, of at least one of the cationicpolymeric materials; and from about 20 50 percent be weight, of at leastone of the anionic gums. A most preferred product is formulated tocontain about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the totalformulation of the polyethylene or polypropylene powder, about 10percent by weight, of at least one cationic polymeric material, andabout 40 percent by weight, of at least one anionic gum.

Typical dentifrice powder formulations which may be improved by theincorporation of the abovedescribed powdered polyethylene or powderedpolypropylene, according to the practice of this invention, areformulated to contain an abrasive material, such as dicalcium phosphatedihydrate or precipitated calcium carbonate, a soap or detergentingredient, flavors, sweetners and excipients. Such representativedentifrice powders are described in Remingtons Pharmaceutical Sciences,pages 1785 l786, 13th Edition, Mack Publishing Co., Easton,Pennsylvania, 1965. In order to obtain improved wettability, accordingto the teachings of this invention, the powdered polyethylene orpowdered polypropylene is incorporated into the dentifrice powderformulation at a level of from about 60 percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the formulation, preferably about 20 50 percent byweight, most preferably about 45 percent by weight.

As an example of an anhydrous dentifrice paste, there may be mentionedthe toothpaste formulation of US. Pat. No. 3,574,824. Improvedwettability of the aforementioned anhydrous toothpaste is obtained bythe incorporation of the powdered polyethylene or powderedpolypropylene, according to the practice of this invention. A typicalimproved anhydrous toothpaste formulation of this type contains amineral oil ingredient; a polyethylene glycol composition; a nonionicemulsifier such as Atmos 300 (Atlas Chemical Industries); a bindingagent such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; mannitol or inositol; an abrasive,and coloring agents; sweeteners, and the usual excipients, together withfrom about 20 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the totalformulation, of powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, asdescribed above. Preferred anhydrous dentifrice pastes contain about 2050 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, ofpolyethylene or polypropylene powders; and a most preferred productcontains about 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of theformulation, of polyethylene or polypropylene powder, to improvewettability characteristics of the anhydrous dentifrice paste. Suchmodified anhydrous toothpaste formulations demonstrate more thoroughcleansing power when applied to the teeth, since wettabilitycharacteristics have been greatly improved.

Representative vaginal spray powders which may be improved by theaddition of the polyethylene or polypropylene powder according to thepractice of this invention generally contain solid ingredients includinga lubricant, such as isopropyl palmitate, and tale, together with thedesired liquid fragrances and an anhydrous alcohol solvent. Propellantsare added as the formulation is placed into the spray container. Inorder to improve the wettability of vaginal sprays of this type, fromabout 20 60 percent by weight, based on the total weight of solids inthe formulation, of powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene isadded to the formulation. Preferred products contain from about 20 60percent by weight of powdered polyethylene or polypropylene, based onthe total weight of solids. Particularly preferred products areformulated to contain about 23 percent by weight of powdered polymer,based on the total weight of solids, in order to provide superiorwettability characteristics to the vaginal spray product.

Obviously, many other anhydrous powder and cream preparations in thecosmetic, dental and drug field, other than those specifically mentionedabove, could be improved by the addition of the powdered polyethylene orpolypropylene according to the practice of this invention.

To further illustrate the invention, the following examples are given:

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Improved Denture Adhesive Powder In a Hobartmixer, add 1450 grams of a sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum with adegree of substitution of 0.7 and a viscosity of 1,300 to 2,200centipoises and 6.25 grams of peppermint oil, USP. Mix until theingredients assume a crumbly, dry character and pass through a No. 20mesh screen. Into a separate blender, add 500 grams of a copolymer ofpercent by weight acrylamide with 15 percent by weightfi-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; 500 grams of asodium carboxymethylcellulose gum with a degree of substitution of 0.4and a viscosity of 400 to 1,000 centipoises; and 2543.50 grams of powderpolyethylene having an average molecular weight of 2,000 and havingparticle size such that 99.5 percent of the polyethylene powder passesthrough a 60 mesh screen. Add in the mixed gum and peppermint oil fromthe Hobart mixer. Mix all ingredients for 20 minutes or until a uniformblend is obtained. Add in 0.25 grams of F D & C Red No. 3 Aluminum Lakeand mix to visual uniformity.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Improved Powdered Dentifrice 50.0 Grams ofcalcium carbonate (precipitated) is placed in a powder mixing devicewith 47.8 grams of powdered polyethylene having an average molecularweight of about 2,000 and a particle size of approximately 60 mesh. Tothis is added 1 gram of flavor oil and 1.2 grams of sodium laurylsulfate. The whole is mixed for about 15 minutes to 30 minutes, tovisual uniformity.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Improved Anhydrous Toothpaste Formulation 255grams of a mixture polyethylene glycols having average molecular weightsof 550, 600, and 4,000, and 50 grams of a polypropylene glycol bodyingagent are mixed and melted at 65-70C. Heat is discontinued and 10 gramsof polyvinylpyrrolidone is added to the heated mixture which is stirredvigorously to form a uniform slurry (A). In a separate steamjacketedmixer, grams of mineral oil, 40 grams of a petrolatum bodying agent and2 grams of Atmos 300 emulsifier (Atlas Chemical Industries) are mixedand heated to a temperature of 50C. The slurry (A) is added to theingredients in the steam-jacketed mixer. The following remainingingredients, after screening (20 mesh screen) are then added to themixer: 20 grams of sodium lauryl sulfate detergent, 257 grams ofhydrated alumina abrasive, 30 grams of aluminum silicate abrasive, 26grams of mannitol, grams of titanium dioxide color, and 76 grams ofsynthetic sweetener. All ingredients are mixed for -25 minutes, afterwhich heat is discontinued and the mixture cooled to C. 200 grams ofpowdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of about140,000 and a particle size of approximately 200 mesh, is added togetherwith 20 grams of flavor, and the whole is mixed for an additional 20-25minutes.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Improved Vaginal Spray Powder Add 0.5 grams ofthe isopropyl palmitate and 2.10 grams of a powdered polyethylene havingan average molecular weight of about 2,000 and a particle size ofapproximately 200 mesh to 2.5 grams of anhydrous alcohol and mixthoroughly. Add 0.2 grams of fragrance and blend with other ingredients.Weigh 5 grams of blended ingredients into an aerosol container, add 8.5grams of talc and pressure fill with 88.2 grams of propellant (:60mixture of Propellant l2 and Propellant l 14).

Having thus described our invention, We claim;

1. A denture adhesive powder having superior wettability characteristicsconsisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of nontoxic,adhesive ingredients and from about 40 percent to about 60 percent byweight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients ofa powdered polymeric material having an average particle size of lessthan about 422 microns, said polymeric material being selected from thegroup consisting of powdered polyethylene having an average molecularweight ranging from about 1000 to 3500 and powdered polypropylene havingan average molecular weight ranging from about 120,000 to 350,000; saiddenture adhesive ingredients comprising a substantially anhydrousmixture of:

A. from about 5 percent to about 55 percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the denture adhesive ingredients of at least onecationic polymeric material selected from the group consisting of l. acopolymer of an acrylamide having the formula:

wherein R is methyl or hydrogen; and R R and R are each hydrogen or 1 to7 carbon lower alkyl, with a vinyl quaternary ammonium salt selectedfrom the group consisting of trialkylaminoalkyl acrylate salts,trialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate salts, and vinyloxyalkyltrialkylammoniumsalts, wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to 7 carbon atoms; and

2. a copolymer of an acrylamide having the formula l. above with a vinylor alkyl-substituted vinyl pyridinium salt, wherein the alkyl group is 1to 7 carbon lower alkyl; and

B. from about 5 percent to about 55 .percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the denture adhesive, of at least one anionic gurnselected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose gum andcellulose sulfate gum.

2. A denture adhesive according to claim 1 wherein the powderedpolymeric material which provides the superior wettabilitycharacteristics is present in an amount of from about 45 to about 55percent by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesiveingredients; said powdered polymeric material having an average particlesize of between about 74 to 149 microns and being selected from thegroup consisting of a powdered polyethylene having a molecular weight offrom about 2,000 to about 2500, and powdered polypropylene having anaverage molecular weight of from about 120,000 to about 160,000.

3. A denture adhesive powder according to claim 2 wherein the adhesiveingredients comprise:

A. from about 5 percent to about 20 percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the denture adhesive ingredients, of at least onecationic copolymer of acrylamide with a vinyl quaternary ammonium saltselected from the group consisting of trialkylaminoalkyl acrylate salts,trialkylaminoalky methacrylate salts, and vinyloxyalkyltrialkylammoniumsalts, wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; andtrialkylaminoalkyl B. from about 20 percent to about 50 percent byweight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients,of at least one anionic gum selected from the group consisting ofcellulose sulfate gum and carboxymethylcellulose gum.

4. A denture adhesive powder according to claim 3 consisting essentiallyof:

A. about 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dentureadhesive ingredients, of a cationic copolymer of acrylamide withB-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;

B. about 40 percent by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose; and

C. about 50 percent by weight of a powdered polyethylene having anaverage molecular weight of about 2,000, and an average particle size ofabout 74 microns.

5. A process for improving the wettabilitycharacteristics of ananhydrous denture adhesive powder as claimed in claim 1 which comprisesadmixing therewith from about 20 percent to about percent by weight,based on the total weight of the preparation of a powdered polymericmaterial having an average particle size of less than about 422 microns;said polymeric material being selected from the group consisting ofpowdered polyethylene and powdered polypropylene.

.6. A process according to claim 5 wherein said powdered polyethylenehas an average molecular weight ranging from about 1,000 to about 3,500,and wherein said powdered polypropylene has an average molecular weightranging from about 120,000 to about 350,000.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the powdered polymericmaterial has an average particle size of from between about 74 to 149microns, and is selected from the group consisting of powderedpolyethylene having an average molecular weight ranging from about 2,000to about 2,500, and powdered polypropylerage molecular weight of about2,000 and an average particle size of about 74 microns.

10. A process according to claim 8 wherein said powdered polymericmaterial is polypropylene having an average molecular weight of about140,000 and an average particle size of about 74 microns.

1. A DENTURE ADHESIVE POWDER HAVING SUPERIOR WETTABILITY CHARACTERISTICSCONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS MIXTURE OF NONTOXIC,ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS AND FROM ABOUT 40 PERCENT TO ABOUT 60 PERCENT BYWEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE DENTURE ADHESICE INGREDIENTS OFA POWDERED POLYMERIC MATERIAL HAVING AN AVERAGE PARTICLE SIZE OF LESSTHAN ABOUT 422 MICRONS, SAID POLYMERIC MATERIAL BEING SELECTED FROM THEGROUP CONSISTING OF POWDERED POLYETHYLENE HAVING AN AVERAGE MOLECULARWEIGHT RANGING FROM ABOUT 1000 TO 3500 AND POWDERED POLYPROPYLENE HAVINGAN AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT RANGING FROM ABOUT 120,000 TO 350,000; SAIDDENTURE ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUSMIXTURE OF: A. FROM ABOUT 5 PERCENT TO ABOUT 55 PERCENT BY WEIGHT, BASEDON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE DENTURE ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS OF AT LEAST ONECATIONIC POLYMERIC MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF
 1. ACOPOLYMER OF AN ACRYLAMIDE HAVING THE FORMULA:
 1. ABOVE WITH A VINYL OFALKYL-SUBSTITUTED VINYL PYRIDINIUM SALT, WHEREIN THE ALKYL GROUP IS 1 TO7 CARBON LOWER ALKYL; AND B. FROM ABOUT 5 PERCENT TO ABOUT 55 PERCENT BYWEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE DENTURE ADHESIVE, OF A LEASTONE ANIONIC GUM SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OFCARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE GUM AND CELLULOSE SULFATE GUM.
 2. A COPOLYMER OFAN ACRYLAMIDE HAVING THE FORMULA
 2. A denture adhesive according toclaim 1 wherein the powdered polymeric material which provides thesuperior wettability characteristics is present in an amount of fromabout 45 to about 55 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thedenture adhesive ingredients; said powdered polymeric material having anaverage particle size of between about 74 to 149 microns and beingselected from the group consisting of a powdered polyethylene having amolecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 2500, and powderedpolypropylene having an average molecular weight of from about 120,000to about 160,000.
 2. a copolymer of an acrylamide having the formula I.above with a vinyl or alkyl-substituted vinyl pyridinium salt, whereinthe alkyl group is 1 to 7 carbon lower alkyl; and B. from about 5percent to about 55 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thedenture adhesive, of at least one anionic gum selected from the groupconsisting of carboxymethylcellulose gum and cellulose sulfate gum.
 3. Adenture adhesive powder according to claim 2 wherein the adhesiveingredients comprise: A. from about 5 percent to about 20 percent byweight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients,of at least one cationic copolymer of acrylamide with a vinyl quaternaryammonium salt selected from the group consisting of trialkylaminoalkylacrylate salts, trialkylaminoalky methacrylate salts, andvinyloxyalkyltrialkylammonium salts, wherein the alkyl group containsfrom 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and trialkylaminoalkyl B. from about 20percent to about 50 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thedenture adhesive ingredients, of at least one anionic gum selected fromthe group consisting of cellulose sulfate gum and carboxymethylcellulosegum.
 4. A denture adhesive powder according to claim 3 consistingessentially of: A. about 10 percent by weight, based on the total weightof the denture adhesive ingredients, of a cationic copolymer ofacrylamide with Beta -methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methylsulfate; B. about 40 percent by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose;and C. about 50 percent by weight of a powdered polyethylene having anaverage molecular weight of about 2,000, and an average particle size ofabout 74 microns.
 5. A process for improving the wettabilitycharacteristics of an anhydrous denture adhesive powder as claimed inclaim 1 which comprises admixing therewith from about 20 percent toabout 60 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the preparationof a powdered polymeric material having an average particle size of lessthan about 422 microns; said polymeric material being selected from thegroup consisting of powdered polyethylene and powdered polypropylene. 6.A process according to claim 5 wherein said powdered polyethylene has anaverage molecular weight ranging from about 1,000 to about 3,500, andwherein said powdered polypropylene has an average molecular weightranging from about 120,000 to about 350,000.
 7. A process according toclaim 6 wherein the powdered polymeric material has an average particlesize of from between about 74 to 149 microns, and is selected from thegroup consisting of powdered polyethylene having an average molecularweight ranging from about 2,000 to about 2,500, and powderedpolypropylene having an average molecular weight ranging from about120,000 to about 160,000.
 8. A process according to claim 7 wherein thepowdered polymeric material is present in an amount of from about 20percent to about 55 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thepreparation.
 9. A process according to claim 8 wherein said powderedpolymeric material is polyethylene having an average molecular weight ofabout 2,000 and an average particle size of about 74 microns.
 10. Aprocess according to claim 8 wherein said powdered polymeric material ispolypropylene having an average molecular weight of about 140,000 and anaverage particle size of about 74 microns.